Truancy patrols return

Police will be on the lookout for students who try to extend their Easter break when the Erie School District resumes classes Tuesday.

Erie police are set to restart its truancy patrols this week, and are expected to continue scouring the city for children who should be in school, but aren't, through May.

At least two officers will work the details, with assistance from Erie County detectives.

Funding for the enforcement details comes from a U.S. Justice Department grant awarded through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.

Erie County Council agreed to accept the $40,000 federal government grant in April 2012.

The money also is used to cover costs associated with other anti-violence efforts, said Mark Rosenthal, Weed and Seed coordinator with the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

The grant supported truancy patrols in the fall.

Erie police first conducted specialized truancy patrols in spring 2011 through Erie Weed and Seed, with a portion of a $47,000 federal grant received in November 2010. The patrols continued in fall 2011, but were not conducted in spring 2012 because the grant money ran out.

Rosenthal said the patrols have been effective and officers have seen a drop in the number of students caught out of school.

Erie Police Chief Steve Franklin said officers working special duty also will be on the lookout for truant students and curfew violators.

"I'm sure as we get closer to the end of the school year we'll see some of that going on," Franklin said.

TIM HAHN can be reached at 870-1731 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNhahn.